Pop-Up NYC by Daisy Lew

First up, the Pop-Up Book

I’ve always loved a good pop-up book. It marries a lot of my favourite things: books, the  creative vision the designer brings to paper to make it come alive in unexpected ways, and architecture.    You gotta admit they’re just plain cool.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

Daisy Lew

Daisy Lew created a series of pop-up books that detail various NYC icons – the Chrysler Building, the yellow cab, the Statue of Liberty and the Big Apple itself.  Each presents a 3D view of its respective icon, but viewed from the side also gives you a glimpse of the city-scape.  Amazing!

Benjamin Lacombe

At the ripe old age of 28 (!) Parisian Benjamin Lacombe is an award winning illustrator and author, having had several of his children’s books translated for publication abroad. (In addition to his talent he’s also ridiculously handsome.) Lacombe has taken on the pop-up book with  ”Il était un fois” (Once Upon a Time) and you’ve got to see this work.  Video tour below and for those French speakers among us, his blog is spectacular too.

Next up Kirigami

Kirigami is best considered origami with scissors, but the artist concentrates on what can be created with cuts.  Think paper dolls or kindergarten paper snowflakes at the novice level.  Now here’s where the potential lies:

Kirigami architecture via Origami Nut. Image by N. Terry

Image via Dornob of Japanese artist Wataru Itou's Paper City Island

And Finally Thomas Allen, in a class of his own

Thomas Allen's work, image via lifelounge.com

Thomas Allen is a photographer/artist based out of the US who creates the most atmospheric scenes out of cut-outs from pulp fiction covers that he folds, props and photographs.  Inspired by pop-up books, the tableaux he creates are full of life with all its drama, emotion, and raw beauty.  See his blog where he writes about his work and process, visit Foley Gallery to snap up a limited edition photograph, or the Aperture Foundation to order his book of photography.

A photo from his book, Uncovered, available through Aperture Foundation. Image Via Aperture.org

Image via Aperture.org from Allen's book "Uncovered"

Here’s our second installment of our Design 101 series, where we tackle popular design questions.  Check out our Unfinished Furniture piece here.

Although sometimes taken to mean a folding screen specifically, a room divider, broadly defined, can be just about anything other than a wall that divides a room into smaller areas. In addition to folding screens, included in this category are partitions, curtains, even railings.

Divide and Conquer

This is a most basic role–they are called dividers after all. When there’s a chunk of space that you’d like to partition into smaller areas, room dividers are your go-to guys. They create and define spaces. In smaller apartments for example, they can work to separate your living area from your home office, or your dining room from your kitchen. In still smaller studio-type dwellings, they would be ideal, crucial even, in distinguishing the sleeping area from the living area. Craving for a hallway? Dividers, placed strategically, can make corridors and hallways where first there were none.

Image from Greenzer.com

Hide

Legend has it that in ancient China, unmarried young women were kept out of sight of male strangers. When potential husbands came a-visiting, they would hide behind folding screens and try their darnedest to get a good view from there.

Folding screens still serve that purpose today, not as reconnaissance paraphernalia, but as instruments for hiding. They are used to conceal things that need concealing. In dressing rooms they’re called “privacy screens” because they provide covering for starlets and prima donnas as they change into and out of their costumes. In a modern home, folding screens, and room dividers in general can hide the unattractive from the sight of guests–such as cleaning implements, laundry, or messes that weren’t put away in time.

Screens provide privacy

Look Pretty

Sometimes no other purpose is required than to add aesthetic value to a space. There are lots of different takes on room dividers nowadays that go way beyond the utilitarian.

A folding screen, for example, can bring lots of drama to the ho-hum. Place it against the wall and create an effect equivalent to change in wallpaper. Place furniture in front of it and it becomes a striking backdrop. It can be treated as art or accent, foil or main attraction. Another cool thing about it is that you can adjust, move, and remove it as you please, no commitment necessary.

As for the fixed type of dividers, they come in such myriad forms, providing stunning textures and an abundance of visual interest.

From Greentea Design's selection of Asian screens

Image from Modecodesign

From 1stdibs

Wafer divider by Arihiro Miyake

Here’s our second installment of our Design 101 series, where we tackle popular design questions.  Check out our Unfinished Furniture piece here.

Although sometimes taken to mean a folding screen specifically, a room divider, broadly defined, can be just about anything other than a wall that divides a room into smaller areas. In addition to folding screens, included in this category are partitions, curtains, even railings.

Divide and Conquer

This is a most basic role–they are called dividers after all. When there’s a chunk of space that you’d like to partition into smaller areas, room dividers are your go-to guys. They create and define spaces. In smaller apartments for example, they can work to separate your living area from your home office, or your dining room from your kitchen. In still smaller studio-type dwellings, they would be ideal, crucial even, in distinguishing the sleeping area from the living area. Craving for a hallway? Dividers, placed strategically, can make corridors and hallways where first there were none.

Image from Greenzer.com

Hide

Legend has it that in ancient China, unmarried young women were kept out of sight of male strangers. When potential husbands came a-visiting, they would hide behind folding screens and try their darnedest to get a good view from there.

Folding screens still serve that purpose today, not as reconnaissance paraphernalia, but as instruments for hiding. They are used to conceal things that need concealing. In dressing rooms they’re called “privacy screens” because they provide covering for starlets and prima donnas as they change into and out of their costumes. In a modern home, folding screens, and room dividers in general can hide the unattractive from the sight of guests–such as cleaning implements, laundry, or messes that weren’t put away in time.

Screens provide privacy

Look Pretty

Sometimes no other purpose is required than to add aesthetic value to a space. There are lots of different takes on room dividers nowadays that go way beyond the utilitarian.

A folding screen, for example, can bring lots of drama to the ho-hum. Place it against the wall and create an effect equivalent to change in wallpaper. Place furniture in front of it and it becomes a striking backdrop. It can be treated as art or accent, foil or main attraction. Another cool thing about it is that you can adjust, move, and remove it as you please, no commitment necessary.

As for the fixed type of dividers, they come in such myriad forms, providing stunning textures and an abundance of visual interest.

From Greentea Design's selection of Asian screens

Image from Modecodesign

From 1stdibs

Wafer divider by Arihiro Miyake

Ensaimada is a Filipino treat that I grew up eating. It is kind of like a brioche, and is made from a buttery, yeasty dough that is shaped like a coil and baked. You can versions of it in just about any bakery in the Philippines. But the best kinds are those with an incredibly rich and buttery flavor, and only mildly sweet, which offsets the usually sugary topping. They are moist and soft, yet dense, and they melt in your mouth.

I have recently discovered that the ensaimada was first made in Majorca, Spain, and then eventually made its way to the Spanish colonies in Latin America and the Philippines. The Majorcan saim means “pork lard” and that was what was used in the original ensaimada.

My mom had an ensaimada phase, which lasted a couple of years. I was in my early teens then, and I remember the really hot Saturday afternoons when she would ask me to help knead her dough, and after it rose, I would watch her portion it out and roll each one flat, brush the surface with butter, sprinkle it with grated cheese, then roll the whole thing up into a longish piece which she then coiled up and placed in the ensaimada tin. She worked with such efficiency and grace that it was really fun to watch.

So I decided to make ensaimadas some weeks ago, because I was missing her and was feeling nostalgic. But Mom’s recipe only had a list of ingredients, and a shorthand version of the procedure, which is totally useless if you’ve never done it before. Good thing I found this ensaimada recipe online with very detailed instructions (which I am extremely grateful for) which comes closest to my recollection of how my mother made it.

It is a long, messy, and painstaking process that simply can’t be hurried. There are lots of steps and lots of waiting involved — I do not recommend that you embark on this adventure on your own. Take family or friends with you — it would be a great bonding time. The company and the chitchat would divide the work and make time go so much faster.

Good luck! Happy eating!

These are what ensaimada tins look like, and they have to be brushed generously with butter.

This is what they look like before they get popped in the oven. As you can see, my coils are far from perfect.

They come out of the oven all puffed and golden. They were so beautiful they almost made me cry.

The final product, after the top is slathered with butter, dipped in grated cheese and white sugar. For a more luxurious version, whip the butter first and use edam cheese.

All images by Nathalie Mariano

Secret Holiday

There seems to be a rash of  home decor items featuring uplifting slogans. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with the uncertainty of the times or just a passing trend, but let’s face it, sometimes we all need a little encouragement. Without being too saccharine, these prints, decals and gifts are designed to keep you positive even when you’re having a less than amazing day.

keep calm gallery

Here’s a print for when you’re second guessing your new haircut or a new outfit. I think this would be great hanging in the bathroom, so even when the mirror is telling you to do otherwise, you can leave the house feeling good about yourself.

The Wheatfield

This poster is a subtle reminder to be in the moment. I’m currently renovating my office space and this is just the reminder I need to keep my butt in the chair and keep creating even when there are a million distractions trying to pull me away.

Shannah Murray via Creature Comforts

I’m a big fan of Shannah Murray’s illustrated decals. I especially love them on a chalkboard where you can contribute your own doodles or notes. She has a number of different designs, but this ‘You are my Sunshine’ one is my personal fave.

kims little monsters via you are my fave

If you know someone who could use a little comforting, these mini message boxes by kims little monsters would make a great gift. They are all hand drawn and hand assembled and sport little encouraging sayings; perfect for sticking in your purse or leaving on a shelf for an impromptu pick-me-up.

Mary Kate McDevitt

Motivation isn’t always easy to come by, but this encouraging little chalkboard can help keep you focused.  They say writing down your goals is one of the quickest ways to help achieve them, so why not start here? I love the idea of putting one of these in a child’s bedroom.

Erin Hanson via The Jealous Curator

Then there are the times when we need reminders just to do regular people stuff; calling our parents, eating more fibre or picking up a book.  That’s where Erin Hanson’s cheeky photo series comes in;  he  calls it “childish treatment for childish behaviour” and I know I sure tend to lapse into bad habits and could use a friendly reminder to break them now and then. You can see the rest of the photos in the series on his website.